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Sunday, May 19, 2002

By Chris Dolack, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

A year ago, Dale Blaney was traveling across the country and racing in the World of Outlaws series.

This year, Blaney is staying closer to home. He has helped his brother, Dave, who drives the No. 77 Ford in the NASCAR Winston Cup series, and father, Lou, refurbish Sharon Speedway in time for the first World of Outlaws race in the 73-year history of the Hartford, Ohio, track.

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Racing against those Outlaws in the Commonwealth Clash Wednesday night at Lernerville Speedway, Blaney said preparations for the race May 31 at Sharon Speedway are on track.

"It's good to be home every night," Blaney said. "Everything's gone real well. Hopefully, we can get a couple of more races in."

But Sharon wasn't able to get any races in last night. In fact, inclement weather since Friday knocked out racing at Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway, Motordrome Speedway and Lernerville. Only Mercer Raceway Park, running the Bill Emig Memorial for big-block modifieds last night, attempted to race during the weekend.

Once the Blaneys gained control of Sharon Speedway, it was only a matter of time before the Outlaws would race there. At least that's what Ted Johnson, the Outlaws' founder and president, said Wednesday night.

"With Dave Blaney, and the Blaney family, they've supported me since we started in 1977," Johnson said. "They've done a lot of favors for me through the years, and it stood to reason that when they put a track together that we would have to do something with them."

Johnson, who wouldn't confirm or deny a report in National Speed Sport News last week that he is close to a deal to sell the series to a Chicago-based concert producer, was quick to say Lernerville still is the region's top track for sprint car racing. Lernerville, which has been host to an Outlaws race every year since 1979, will present the 11th annual Silver Cup race, worth $35,000 to the winner, July 23.

"I know that Lernerville is wondering, but it is the main track in this area," said Johnson, about the potential conflict of the series competing at two tracks in the same region. "The Blaneys have a lot of work in front of them to establish their race track."

The local guys

Ed Lynch Jr. was the top local finisher in the Commonwealth Clash. Lynch, who is three wins away from tying the career mark for sprint car victories at Lernerville Speedway, won his heat race but finished 14th in the 25-car feature.

"Ed Lynch Jr. is tough anywhere," said Mark Kinser, who is third in Outlaws points after an 18th-place finish in a race Steve Kinser won at Williams Grove Thursday night. "He's especially tough here. He knows this place like the back of his hand."

Brian Ellenberger finished 18th, Brent Matus was 19th, Bob Bennett was 21st, Ralph Spithaler was 22nd, Gary Kriess was 23rd and Mike Kaminski was 24th.

Sprint series warming up

The Triathalon Racing Series will begin its sophomore series for York sprint cars with a four-race schedule beginning June 2 at Tri-City Speedway in Franklin, Pa. The series picks up in September with events at Raceway 7, Mercer Raceway Park, Latrobe Speedway and Challenger Raceway.

Cavalcade points

The leaders in the #1 Cochran Cavalcade Points include Dick Barton in late models, Pat McGuire in limited late models, Ed Lynch Jr. in sprint cars, Kevin Bolland in modifieds, Randy Hall in limited modifieds and Adam Ashcroft in stock cars.

Taking a lead

It's still early in the season, especially with a considerable number of rainouts, but here are the leaders at tracks around the region:

Lernerville Speedway: Ed Lynch Jr. (sprints), John Flinner (late models), Kevin Bolland (modifieds) and Butch Lambert (pure stocks).

Motordrome Speedway: Garry Wiltrout (late models), Mike Bakalon (modifieds), Marion Reno (pro trucks), Adam Kostelnik (street stocks) and Curtis Stewart Jr. (chargers).

Pittsburgh's Pennsylvania Motor Speedway: Ed Ferree (late models), Pete Loria (limited late models), Larry Kugel (modifieds), Darryl Robison (pure stocks), Tony Capo (amateur stocks).

Chris Dolack can be reached at cdolack@post-gazette.com.